Coronavirus: NYU Abu Dhabi brings in daily health check app to access campus

Fortnightly coronavirus tests are also part of measures to bring staff and students back safely

The Safe NYU app that students and staff have to download at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Students and staff at New York University Abu Dhabi must download a health checker app and complete a series of questions before being allowed access to campus each day.

The app is part of measures that were introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19, which also include various social distancing measures.

All staff and students have to undergo tests for Covid-19 once every fortnight.

“Everyone has to abide by social distancing of two metres, wear a mask and do the daily symptom checker and security will then take your temperature,” said Arlie Petters, provost at NYU.

“We all have to go through that when we enter campus.”

The university currently has 1,650 students, with close to 700 of them being on campus and the remainder learning remotely.

The app which is called Safe NYU was originally created by NYU in the US.

Once the set of questions has been successfully completed the student will receive a green screen, indicating they have passed the test and can enter.

If they do not meet the requirements the screen will be red, meaning they have failed the test and entry is forbidden.

All students, staff and faculty members that pass the daily test are expected to ensure they stay two metres apart at all times, avoid handshakes and non-essential gatherings of any description.

The university advises those living on campus to check their temperature in their homes each day.

External visitors are currently not allowed to enter campus.

Each student had to sign an agreement they were committed to NYU Abu Dhabi’s safety procedures before being allowed to return to campus.

“If someone is not complying with our safety and health protocols, we encourage you to gently and calmly urge them to act properly — wearing a face mask, maintaining physical distance, and complying with testing and quarantine procedures," the university said on its website.

“This will help ensure the wellbeing of your friends, your peers, your teachers, your students, and your colleagues and to ensure compliance with NYUAD and UAE regulations.”